Spoken (band)
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| Spoken | |
|---|---|
 Spoken (Current line-up)
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA |
| Genre(s) | Post Hardcore Christian Alternative Hard Rock Alternative Metal Christian metal |
| Years active | 1996-present |
| Label(s) | Tooth & Nail Records |
| Website | http://spokenmusic.com |
| Members | |
| Matt Baird - Vocals Jef Cunningham - Guitar Brandon Thigpen - Bass Oliver Crumpton - Drums |
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| Former members | |
| Ryan Jordan - Drums Aaron Wiese - Guitar |
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Spoken is a Christian Hard rock/Post Hardcore band from Fayetteville, Arkansas. They are currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records.
Contents |
[edit] Band history
[edit] Beginnings
Starting in 1996, Spoken quickly became a mainstay in their local music scene due to a relentless work ethic and performance schedule. Shortly after forming, Spoken was signed to their first record deal with Metro 1 Music, on which they released 3 LPs and a greatest hits compilation. With the release of their first album, On Your Feet (1997), and continuing through their second record, …What Remains (1999), the Spoken sound was a combination of rap meets metal and a bit of melodic rock. The third full-length release, Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell (2000) contained a heavier, more melodic approach to song writing, with songs like "Forevermore" and "This Path" generating repeated rotations on various modern rock radio and video programs across the country.
[edit] A Moment of Imperfect Clarity
Spoken signed to Tooth and Nail Records to release their next album, titled A Moment of Imperfect Clarity. This, and their subsequent albums on Tooth and Nail, highlighted an evolving sound in which first melody and then a post-hardcore sound were introduced and stressed. The band shot music videos for "Promise"[1] and "Falling Further"[2]
[edit] The Last Chance to Breathe
In 2005, Spoken released Last Chance to Breathe. The style changed even more, becoming more based on screams than heavy guitar work. A music video was shot for "Bitter Taste", a single from the album, featuring Cory Brandon Putman of Norma Jean.[3]
[edit] Spoken
On September 25, 2007, Spoken released their self titled album, Spoken. The sound was heavier and more mature, with both heavy vocals and heavy guitar work. Matt Baird, the lead vocalist for Spoken, said this about their sound: "Our new record has a lot of diversity. There are songs that are heavier than anything we've done before, and there is a song that is mostly piano. The songs are really all over the place as far as a similar style or genre, but it works. I think the record is extremely cohesive. I can't wait for people to hear it." [4]
With such drastic changes in style, bands often tend to lose a majority of their original audience. Spoken's fan base, on the other hand, increased. With each album the band widened their overall appeal, while gaining more and more fans in the process.
Spoken has made multiple trips across the United States as well Japan and Germany. Averaging over 100 shows a year, they regularly see attendance into the hundreds, filling venues to capacity throughout the U.S.
On their April 2008 tour Michael Head from the Arkansas band Reason For Rescue will be filling in on guitar.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- On Your Feet (September 22, 1998)
- ...What Remains (February 2, 1999)
- Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell (October 3, 2000)
- Spoken Greatest Hits (January 19, 2001)
- A Moment of Imperfect Clarity (September 2, 2003)
- Last Chance to Breathe (August 30, 2005)
- Spoken (September 25, 2007)
